Sicana odorifera is a native fruit of South America large in size. Its dark-colored skin constitutes a useful byproduct for obtaining bioactive molecules because it is rich in polyphenolic compounds, such as anthocyanins. Obtaining appropriate extracts for obtaining anthocyanins can be useful for multiple applications in the food industry or for obtaining phytopharmaceuticals. In this work, the fruit and its peel composition were evaluated, an anthocyanin extraction system was designed and optimized, and the extract obtained was characterized. The peel composition of S. odorifera ripe fruits from the black accession growing in Paraguay was rich in polyphenol compounds and anthocyanins. Ultrasound-assisted extractions of total anthocyanins were studied, and the extraction variables were optimized. First, a screening design was considered to analyze time, pH, liquid–solid ratio, solvent concentration, and temperature. From the screening design, the significant variables were considered in a Box–Behnken design, and a response surface methodology was applied. The resulting total anthocyanin extract was characterized by UPLC-DAD-MS / MS-ESI. The most efficient system for the extraction of anthocyanins from the peel was at 15 min, 20 °C, pH = 6, 60% ethanol, and 80 mL/g of liquid–solid ratio. The highest concentration obtained was 61.908 mg C3G/g peel extract. In the extract, 12 main compounds were tentatively identified, including five anthocyanin derivatives, five flavonol derivatives, and two flavonol aglycones. This study provides information for the obtention of an anthocyanin-based dye from black kurugua peel, possibly useful for future applications as a natural colorant in high-added-value foods due to its antioxidant characteristics.

Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics, centesimal composition and antioxidants of the Sicana odorifera pulp and the antioxidant potential of the seeds and fruit peel harvested in a culture of the city of San Lorenzo, Paraguay. These fruits harvested in Paraguay present an antioxidant potential, interesting for food industry, especially in a ripe and semi-ripe state, where the highest content of vitamin C and total phenols was observed, as well as the total antioxidant capacity (ABTS).

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Los frutos de Anisocapparis speciosa son nativas de la Ecoregión del Gran Chaco, crecen de manera silvestre en todo este territorio, su pulpa y semillas son comestibles y muy apreciadas por las poblaciones indígenas que lo habitan, además de otros usos con propiedades medicinales atribuidas por conocimientos etnobotánicos, pero no se tienen datos sobre la composición de estos frutos regionales y sus potenciales aplicaciones. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la composición de la pulpa y semillas de frutos en estado maduro, y el potencial antioxidante en diferentes estadíos de madurez. La composición proximal, el contenido de minerales, vitamina C y solidos solubles se realizaron según metodologías oficiales de la AOAC.  Los fenoles totales se determinaron por el método de Folin Ciocalteau y la capacidad antioxidante total por medio de la inhibición del radical ABTS. Los componentes mayoritarios en pulpa y semillas fueron carhobidratos y fibra alimentaria. La pulpa madura posee un buen contenido de vitamina C (20 mg/100g). El contenido de fenoles y capacidad antioxidante total fue mayor en la pulpa que en la semillas en estados inmaduros. Los frutos de Anisocapparis speciosa pueden representar una buena fuente de carbohidratos, fibra alimentaria, Mg y vitamina C en la dieta. La pulpa y semillas son fuentes de antioxidantes naturales. Estudios futuros sobre métodos postcosecha, almacenamiento y procesamiento serán necesarios para potenciar su uso y re-valorización en el marco de la Seguridad alimentaria en la población regional.   The native Anisocapparis speciosa fruits from Gran Chaco Ecoregion, they grow wild throughout this territory, their edible pulp and seeds are highly appreciated by the indigenous populations that inhabit it, in addition to other uses with medicinal properties attributed by ethnobotanicals knowledge, but there are no data on the composition of these regional fruits and their potential applications. The aims of the present work were to analyze the pulp and seeds composition of fruits in the ripe state, and the antioxidant potential in different stages of maturity. The proximal composition, minerals content, vitamin C and soluble solids were carried out according to official AOAC methodologies. The total phenolics compounds (TPC) by the Folin Ciocalteau method and the total antioxidant capacity by means of the inhibition of the radical ABTS were evaluated. The main components in pulp and seeds were carbohydrates and dietary fiber. The ripe pulp has a good content of vitamin C (20 mg/100g). The content of TPC and total antioxidant capacity (ABTS radical scavenging) was higher in pulp than in the seeds, in immature stages. The Anisocapparis speciosa fruits can represent a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, Mg and vitamin C in the diet of regional populations. The pulp and seeds are sources of natural antioxidants. Future studies on post-harvest, storage and processing methods will be necessary to enhance its use and re-valorization within the Food Security framework.

The “Kurugua” (Sicana odorifera) is a native fruit that demonstrates attractive nutritional, coloring, flavoring, and antioxidant properties. The main by-products from the processing and consumption of kurugua fruit are epicarp and seeds. In this work, the properties of the seeds of S. odorifera were evaluated. The nutritional composition of the fruit seeds was determined through AOAC official methods and UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS profiling. The antioxidant activities were determined using in vitro methods, and the acute toxicity and hepatoprotective properties were investigated in Swiss albino mice. Quercetin derivatives and cucurbitacins were the main phytochemicals in the seeds’ methanolic extract and demonstrated some biological activities. GC-MS analysis revealed the essential fatty acids linolenic and linoleic as the main compounds present in seeds oil. The methanolic extract significantly reduced the serum levels of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) in mice with induced hepatotoxicity (GPT p < 0.05; GOT p < 0.001) at the minor concentration tested (100 mg/kg EMSo). The results suggest that the S. odorifera seeds as by-products show potential use as a source of phytochemicals and in the production of oils with application in food supplements and nutraceuticals. Their integral use could contribute to waste reduction from kurugua fruits processing within the food safety and environmental sustainability framework.